France, Germany mark 50 years of peace

July 8 - French leader Francois Hollande and his German counterpart Angela Merkel celebrate the 50th anniversary of their countries' reconciliation. Andrew Raven reports.

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Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel stroll the historic French city of Reims.
The French and German leaders are marking the 50th anniversary of the reconciliation between their two countries.
It was here in 1962 that France and Germany officially buried the hatchet following World War Two.
With Europe labouring through a debt crisis, Hollande said that spirit of co-operation shouldn't be forgotten.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, SAYING:
"The European Union is going through trying times. It's not the first time, it won't be the last time. But it can be an occasion for a rebound, a jolt, a new start."
Meanwhile, Merkel called for a closer monetary union for Europe.
(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING:
"Europe can get through this Herculean undertaking. Europe can emerge stronger out of this crisis that when it entered it."
Still, France and Germany remain deeply divided about how to tackle the debt crisis, with Germany calling for austerity and France for spending.
Critics say there is little evidence that chasm will be bridged anytime soon.
Andrew Raven, Reuters